A Pillar[5]arene Conjugated Polymer for Removal of Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids, Amines, and Alcohols from Water

We
have fabricated a pillar[5]­arene-based conjugated polymer, pillar[4]­arene[1]­terephthalic
acid-derivatized poly-p-phenylene pillar[4]­arene[1]­terephthamide
(P[5]-PPTA), which demonstrated exceptional adsorption capability
toward low-molecular-weight alkylamines, alcohols, and carboxylic
acids in water. In addition, P[5]-PPTA could be thermally reactivated
and reused at least five times without obvious decrease of adsorption
capability. A mechanistic study indicated that the absorption results
from the host–guest interaction between the pillar[5]­arene
rings in P[5]-PPTA and the low-molecular-weight short-chain alkyl
derivatives.